Package Details

Traverse Bhutan on this memorable journey from East to West, after a short introduction to the sights and sounds of Kathmandu. Experience the best of Bhutan as you travel across this mysterious land. Visit spectacular dzongs, imposing mountain fortresses, serene monasteries, ancient sacred sites and protected conservation areas. Travel through fertile valleys, shady woodlands and scenic traditional villages. Explore this unique Kingdom on your scenic drive to Thimpu, Punakaha and Wangdiphodrang. Jurney onward to Gantey Valley, home of the rare Black-Necked cranes. From here, drive on to Tongsa and Bumthang, the spiritual heart of the Kingdom. Onwards to Mongar and Tashigang before returning to Paro. With expert local guides, you’ll travel across the Land of theThunder Dragon. Experience gentle day walks, sightseeing and scenic drive.

Departure Dates

Spring – 2014

01 April

to 17 April

22 April

to 08 May

Autumn – 2014

05 September

to 21 September

26 September

to 12 October

Price

Standard accommodation in Cities

2-6 pax

7-16 pax

Camping basis

-

-

Single supplement

-

-

Deluxe accommodation in Cities

2-6 pax

7-16 pax

Camping basis

-

-

Single supplement

-

-

Outline itinerary

Day 01

Arrive in Kathmandu (1300m) and transfer to Hotel

Day 02

Full day guided sightseeing tour in the Kathmandu Valley

Day 03

Fly to Paro and drive to Thimpu

Day 04

Full day sightseeing tour in Thimpu

Day 05

Drive to Wangdiphodrang

Day 06

Drive to Bumthang via Tongsa

Day 07

Sightseeing tour in Bumthang

Day 08

Drive to Mongar

Day 09

Sightseeing tour in Mongar followed by drive to Tashigang

Day 10

Sightseeing at and round Tashigang

Day 11

Drive to Bumthang via Mongar

Day 12

Drive to Thimpu

Day 13

Drive to Paro and full day sightseeing

Day 14

Hiking to Taksang Monastery

Day 15

Flight to Kathmandu

Day 16

Sightseeing to Bhaktapur

Day 17

Final Departure

Day 01: Arrive at Kathmandu (1300m) and transfer to hotel

On arrival at Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport, you will be greeted by our staff, who will escort you to the hotel, where our Sherpa guide or the office staff will give you a brief orientation about the hotel, Kathmandu itself, trekking, and the do's and don’ts of the area. They will also review any additional information that you might require while in Nepal, including an overview of the next day's sightseeing tour. In the evening, you will enjoy a complimentary welcome dinner at one of the finest traditional Nepalese restaurants in Kathmandu, with the necessary transfer to and from the hotel by taxi, bus. Overnight in Hotel

Day 02: Guided sightseeing in Kathmandu valley

After your breakfast, you will precede to Kathmandu Durbar Square, where you will tour the ancient palace, the temple of the Kumari, the living goddess of Nepal, Hanuman Dhoka and Kasthamandav Temple with a guide knowledgeable about Nepalese history, architecture, and religion. From there, you will proceed by taxi, bus to the Buddhist site, Swoyambhunath Stupa, also known as the "Monkey Temple" because of its lively troops of resident monkeys. You will then visit Pashupatinath Temple, the holiest shrine for Hindus, situated on the banks of the holy Bagmati River, a popular cremation site. Before returning to the hotel, you will visit Boudhnath Stupa, a Buddhist pilgrimage center and home to many colorful gompas, or monasteries. Once back at the hotel, you will receive a briefing about the trek and have a chance to meet your guides and ask any last minute questions before tomorrow morning's departure. Overnight in Hotel

Day 03: Fly to Paro (2240m) and drive to Thimpu

You will arrive at Paro by Druk Air flight which will offer you great views of Mt. Everest, Kanchenjunga, Chomolhari, Tsrim gang and Jichu Drake. The moment you step out of the plane you will see the difference. Bhutan welcomes you with cool, clean fresh air. Peace and quietness is just another bonus. One of our representatives will pick you from the airport and drive you to Thimp. You will stroll round the city. Overnight stay in Hotel

Day 04: Full day sightseeing tour in Thimpu

Today you will visit the Memorial chorten built in the memory of the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, 15 century Changangkha monastery, Motithang mini zoo to see the rare "Takin" national animal of Bhutan and drive further up for a good view of the Thimphu valley. Similarly you will visit the new Drupthob nunnery temple and rest of the time will be free to go round in the market. Overnight stay in Hotel

Day 05: Drive to Wangdiphodrang

You will drive 3 hours to Wangduephodrang via Punakha crossing the Dochula pass 3100m. On fine weather you will see the eastern Himalayan ranges including the highest mountain in Bhutan Mt.Gangar Punsum 7520m. The drive from the pass is all the way downhill dropping to the lower and warmer valleys of lobesa. You will visit the Punakha Dzong which served as an old capital of Bhutan. This remarkable fortress is built between two rivers and has survived many glacial floods and fire. Every year during the month of February a procession known as the Punakha Serda takes place to commemorate the victory over the Tibetans. Proceed 45 minutes to Wangduephodrang and view the Dzong from outside and stroll around the market area. Overnight stay in Hotel

Day 06: Drive to Bumthang via Tongsa

Today will be a long drive almost 6 / 7 hours crossing 3 passes over 3000m. The route offers magnificent views of the Himalayas and beautiful landscape through scattered hamlets and forest of rhododendrons and pine. Picnic lunch will be served at the 18 century Chendebji chorten and after one and half hour arrive at a small town known as Trongsa meaning new village. The town mainly consists of fresh Tibetan refugees but the most impressive of all is the Trongsa Dzong. The whole of eastern Bhutan was controlled from this fortress during the mid 17th century. Visitors are not allowed inside the building and you will proceed for another 2 hours to Bumthang visiting the Chume weaving center and check in to hotel for overnight. Overnight stay in Hotel

Day 07: Bumthang sightseeing tour

Bumthang valley situated at 2600m height, which has an individuality that charms its visitors and separates it from other regions. Comprised of four smaller valleys, the deeply spiritual region of Bumthang is shrouded in religious legend. Here tales of Guru Padmasambhava and his re-incarnation known as Tertons still linger in most nooks and corners. It is also known for its woolen material (yathra) which can be seen hung outside of houses for sale. Sightseeing - Visit the Jakar Dzong, 7th century Jambay Lhakhang, Kurjey monastery, Tamshing and Kunchosum monastery. This sightseeing is a round trip so it is more interesting done on foot. Overnight stay in Hotel

Day 08: Drive to Mongar

Today will be the longest drive almost 09 hours to Mongar winding through more rugged terrain. On the way visit the Mebartso meaning burning lake. If there is time a short visit to Ura village. The drive from Ura is all the way uphill crossing the highest motor road pass named Thrumshing la in Bhutan at 4050m. The panoramic view from the pass is just thrilling. The route from the pass goes down through alpine & rhododendron forest reaching Sengor for lunch stop. This small village is an open vast land surrounded mainly by pine forest. The drive from here is hair raising as the roads is narrow and the bends gets sharper but the scenic beauty is truly enchanting passing cascading waterfalls, terraced fields and scattered farm houses. After descending at an altitude of 700m the climate gets warmer. Mongar is located on a hill side and is a new town. The Dzong built not long ago maintains the architectural traditions of old dzongs. Overnight stay in Hotel

Day 09: Sightseeing at Mongar and drive to Tashigang

Today you will have sightseeing tour before driving to Tashigang. The road from Mongar to Trashigang begins through lush forests and ferns passing over Kori la pass. Descend rapidly through corn fields and banana grooves passing Yedi village. Follow the Gamri River until the bifurcation to Drametsi perched atop a steep hill. It is also famous for the dance called Drametsi Nga cham (Drum dance). Trashigang lies 30 kilometers from the junction and lies on top of a steep hill. This district is the biggest and most populated in the Kingdom. The Dzong built strategically on the spur going out towards the Gamri River. Overnight stay in Hotel

Day 10: Full day sightseeing at and round Tashigang

Today you will drive 2 hours to Tashi Yangtsi. On the way visit Gom Kora monastery located near a river. It is believed that Guru Rinpoche turned into a Garuda to subdue a demon and the imprints of serpent and his body can be seen. Also there is a passage leading from one end to the other end of the huge boulder and who ever crosses the passage his/her sins will be forgiven. Next stop is at Duksum a small village boasting of the oldest iron suspension bridge built during the 15 century by Drupthob Chazampa builder of iron bridges. Further on lies the beautiful Chorten Kora a huge white washed stupa surrounded by a small community who make the famous wooden bowels (Dapa). In the afternoon you will drive back to Trashigang. Overnight stay in Hotel

Day 11: Drive back to Bumthang via Mongar

Today you will drive back to Bumthang the same way via Mongar. Overnight stay in Hotel

Day 12: Drive back to Thimpu

Again you will drive back to Thimpu via Wangdiphodrang. Overnight stay in Hotel

Day 13: Drive to Paro and sightseeing

Today you will drive back to Paro. On arrival you will check into hotel and then spend the day in sightseeing. During the sightseeing, you will visit the ruined fortress of Drugyel dzong which still attracts visitors due to the strategic location of the fort. The fort defended the Paro valley from the Tibetan invasion from the north in the early 17th century. On clear weather Mount Chomolhari 7320m can be seen towering over the dzong. Proceed through the beautiful valley to the watch tower or locally known as Ta-Dzong. It was housed into the National museum in the 1960s by the third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. The seven floors museum highlights various aspects of Bhutanese culture and history dating back to the 7th century. A short walk downhill leads to the Rinpung Dzong which serves as the administrative center and school for monks. You will walk further down crossing the traditional bridge into Paro Town. You will have enough time to stroll around the market and visit a souvenir shop where you can get a rare and old collection of Bhutan stamp. Bhutan is famous for stamp. Overnight stay in Hotel

Day 14: Hiking to Taksang Monastery

Today you will hike to Taktsang monastery. Horses can be arranged with an extra cost. The hike which is all the way uphill takes about 03 hours through villages and pine forests. The monastery clings to a huge granite cliff 800m from the Paro valley. It is believed that the great saint Padmasambhava came in the 7th century on a flying tigress and meditated in a cave for 3 months. The demons were subdued who were trying to stop the spread of Buddhism and converted the Paro valley into Buddhism. During the end of the 17 century a monastery was built on the spot where the saint mediated and it is a pilgrimage site for every Bhutanese to visit once in their life time. Stroll back to Hotel. Overnight stay in Hotel

Day 15: Fly back to Kathmandu

Today you will be transferred to the airport in Paro for your flight back to Kathmandu. You will be received upon arrival at Kathmandu airport by our representative and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day will be at leisure.Overnight stay in Hotel

Day 16: Sightseeing to Bhaktapur

Today after your breakfast, you will drive to Bhaktapur also known as city of devotees for sightseeing tour. You will have lunch in the restaurant in Bhaktapur and later drive back to Kathmandu. Afternoon time will be free for last moment's shopping. Overnight stay in Hotel

Day 17: Final departure

Today keep in mind your international flight time, so make sure to keep your confirmed air ticket and your passport handy. Our staff will take you to the airport for your final departure from our amazing country, Nepal.

The Company is not liable for any refunds after the departure date of the scheduled itinerary.

Cancellation should be made 48 hours before departure and a 40% cancellation charge is approved besides tax, transportation and permit. See specific information below.

No refund will be given if the program ends before the provided itinerary date.

The Company is not to be held responsible for your early termination of a trek should our experienced leader feels it is unsafe for you to continue due to fitness and/or health issues

The Company is not liable for an unconvinced or rescheduling due to natural, political or bureaucratic circumstances

The Company is not responsible for delays caused by local weather conditions resulting in international flights being missed

The Company is not responsible for the financial implications of rescue. Please ensure you have the appropriate insurance to cover these situations before you arrive in Nepal

Our staffs are very experienced in leading treks at all altitudes. It is their responsibility to ensure your safety, their conclusions regard safety are final and should you not follow their advice the Company cannot be held responsible for the outcome.

If you wish to cancel your trip for any reason the following scale of charges will apply: